Digital Modulator and Method for Initiating Ramp Power Transitions in a Mobile Handset Transmitter

1. A method for initiating ramp power transitions in a mobile handset transmitter, comprising: inserting a controller between a memory element and an accumulator in a modulator; and controllably directing the controller to alter the transfer of stored symbols from the memory element to the accumulator by applying a logic 0 at an input of the accumulator in response to an indication that the transmit power should be transitioned while maintaining the transmit time mask requirement.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein controllably directing the controller to interrupt the transfer of stored symbols comprises sending a signal to the controller before a ramp up transition is desired.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein sending a signal to the controller when a ramp up transition is desired comprises sending a signal representative of the duration for communicating N symbols from the memory to the accumulator.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein controllably directing the controller to interrupt the transfer of stored symbols comprises sending a signal to the controller when a ramp down transition is desired.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein sending a signal to the controller when a ramp down transition is desired comprises sending a signal representative of the duration for communicating N symbols from the memory to the accumulator.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting a controller between a memory element and an accumulator comprises inserting digital logic.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein inserting digital logic comprises inserting an inverter and an AND gate.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein inserting an AND gate comprises coupling a first input of the AND gate to the output of the memory.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein inserting an AND gate comprises coupling a second input of the AND gate to a control signal.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein coupling the second input of the AND gate to a control signal comprises applying a baseband generated signal.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein inserting an AND gate comprises coupling an output of the AND gate to an input of the accumulator.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: holding a gain of a variable gain amplifier in the transmitter constant.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: maintaining a control input to a power amplifier in the transmitter constant.